"Not having Batman, I feel, is kind of freeing," McKenzie - who plays future commissioner Jim Gordon - told TVLine. "It doesn't put pressure on whomever would have to play that role."

McKenzie described Mazouz - previously best known for starring opposite Kiefer Sutherland in Touch - as "a fantastic actor".

"He gets to reinterpret the role," his co-star said. "We've seen Bruce at 12, but we usually just use that as the backstory [for a Batman story] and then jump forward.

"So the fact that we sit there in the present and watch this young man try to understand what his future will be, because he is presented with both alternatives, is a special thing. Alfred and I will battle over his soul, effectively."

Sean Pertwee will portray Bruce's butler and guardian Alfred Pennyworth in Gotham, which launches on Fox this fall, airing on Monday nights at 8/7c.